Bunting claims maiden world title

Top seed Stephen Bunting defeated Alan Norris 7-4 to be crowned BDO World Darts champion at Lakeside on Sunday night.

The match had been evenly poised at 3-3 before Bunting moved 6-3 ahead, with Norris claiming the 10th set in a brief comeback which was quickly halted by the 28-year-old from Liverpool who took the next to claim the victory.

It was Bunting's first world title and the emotional Scouser could barely express his joy at finally winning the crown, as tears rolled down his face in the post-match interviews.

He told BBC2: "This is my eighth time at the Lakeside.

"The crowd has been fantastic. Thanks to everyone who has supported me."

Norris, 41, who saw off Dutchman Jan Dekker 6-5 in the semi-finals, claimed first blood by taking the opening set, but Bunting hit back to take the next two to move into the lead.

Norris kept within touching distance, though, and levelled the contest at 3-3 before Bunting showed his class to move three sets clear and put one hand on the trophy.

A brief fightback from Norris in the 10th was extinguished in the next as Bunting clinched the decisive set to lift his maiden world title.